Luke 10:25 - 37

On one occasion -

"...a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (New Testament Luke 10:25)

In turn the Savior asked the lawyer -

"...What is written in the law? how readest thou?" (New Testament Luke 10:26)

The lawyer was well versed in the commandments given by Moses and answered with the first great commandment -

"...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind..." (New Testament Luke 10:27)

And then followed with the second -

"...and thy neighbour as thyself." (New Testament Luke 10:27)

The Savior then simply answered that which the lawyer already knew -

"...Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live." (New Testament Luke 10:28)

In an attempt to justify himself, the lawyer asks the Savior -

"...who is my neighbour?" (New Testament Luke 10:29)

The Savior answers with one of His great parables -

"A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee." (New Testament Luke 10:30 - 35)

The Samaritans were as despised or in a sense unworthy as the gentiles, yet the Savior's parable was as undisputely clear to the lawyer as the Savior asked -

"Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?" (New Testament Luke 10:36)

In direct conflict to many of the doctrine taught by the scribes and Pharisees, the lawyer understood and answered -

"...He that shewed mercy on him." (New Testament Luke 10:37)

Again the Lord responded -

"...Go, and do thou likewise." (New Testament Luke 10:37)

As I pondered the parable, the action by the Samaritan that seemed to seperate himself from all others was that he -

"...went to him..." (New Testament Luke 10:34)

Many express compassion. Many want to help their fellowman. But it all began as the Samaritan actually went to him. It is very difficult of any of the saints to profess discipleship until we are willing to get and go to those in need.

Just another thought, the first great commandment is not to love our neighbor as ourselves, it is to -

"...love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind." (New Testament Luke 10:27) This is the first and great commandment. Love thy neighbor as the self is the second. In the world today, it is the second great commandment that seems to get the most attention and is the most politically correct. But all falls short of the first great commandment - this is the one that is not mentioned or is not politically correct. I believe our society is really missing the boat on this one for the Lord has said -

"...the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 64:34)

President Ezra Taft Benson also said -

“The world largely ignores the first and great commandment—to love God—but talks a lot about loving their brother. . . .But only those who know and love God can best love and serve his children, for only God fully understands his children and knows what is best for their welfare. Therefore, one needs to be in tune with God to best help his children. . . .Therefore, if you desire to help your fellowmen the most, then you must put the first commandment first. When we fail to put the love of God first, we are easily deceived by crafty men who profess a great love of humanity. . . . (CR, Oct. 1967, p. 35.)